CareerSource Brevardhttps://careersourcebrevard.com
CareerSource Brevard - Business Driven and Talent FocusedTue, 18 Dec 2018 21:27:38 +0000en-UShourly1SeaDek Named Small Business National Exporter of the Yearhttps://careersourcebrevard.com/sector-strategies/manufacturing/seadek-named-small-business-national-exporter-of-the-year
Wed, 12 Dec 2018 22:37:18 +0000https://careersourcebrevard.com/?p=37325SeaDek Marine Products, manufacturer of innovative non-skid products for the marine industry, is proud to be the recipient of the SBA 2018 Small Business National Exporter of the Year award. The announcement was made earlier in the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Thanks to the strategic development of their international Certified Fabricator and […]

]]>SeaDek Marine Products, manufacturer of innovative non-skid products for the marine industry, is proud to be the recipient of the SBA 2018 Small Business National Exporter of the Year award. The announcement was made earlier in the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Thanks to the strategic development of their international Certified Fabricator and Installer network, the company has successfully developed markets in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, and South America, which directly contributed to a 170% increase in overall sales over the last three years. Their exports jumped from less than 3% to nearly 10% over the same time period.

“This was a collaborative effort,” said Jason Gardner, VP of Marketing and Advertising at SeaDek. “From the executive team down to the production floor, we could never have realized the success that we have without the unified vision and drive of our entire staff.”

The company was nominated by the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida, who provided international trade consulting services and an Export Marketing Plan in 2016.

Additionally, senior leaders from SeaDek traveled to Washington D.C. during National Small Business Week to be recognized for their accomplishments.

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About SeaDek Marine Products

SeaDek manufactures a wide range of PE/EVA non-skid products for OEM boat builders, aftermarket customers, and dealers. In addition to custom products, SeaDek offers an extensive line of retail items, including DIY sheet material, anti-fatigue helm station pads, coaming bolsters, and more. As a safe and comfortable alternative to molded-in non-skid, paint-on textures and other marine traction products currently available, SeaDek provides exceptional traction and aesthetically pleasing stylistic options. Made from UV protected non-absorbent PE/EVA foam, SeaDek utilizes an acrylic-based 3M pressure sensitive adhesive for a lasting bond and simple peel-and-stick application. In 2014, SeaDek became an employee owned company with the implementation of an ESOP profit sharing plan. With a wide array of colors, textures, and thicknesses available, there is a place for SeaDek on every boat. Learn more at http://www.seadek.com.

]]>Florida’s Space Coast Named “Turnaround of the Year” by SpaceNewshttps://careersourcebrevard.com/news/floridas-space-coast-named-turnaround-of-the-year-by-spacenews
Tue, 04 Dec 2018 03:16:20 +0000https://careersourcebrevard.com/?p=37192Space Coast, FL (December 3, 2018) – Florida’s Space Coast has been selected Turnaround of the Year for the 2018 Awards for Excellence & Innovation by SpaceNews. The Awards, which were established to honor individuals and organizations making a significant impact in the space industry, were announced Monday, December 3 at the Washington Space Business […]

]]>Space Coast, FL (December 3, 2018) – Florida’s Space Coast has been selected Turnaround of the Year for the 2018 Awards for Excellence & Innovation by SpaceNews. The Awards, which were established to honor individuals and organizations making a significant impact in the space industry, were announced Monday, December 3 at the Washington Space Business Roundtable in Washington, D.C.

Brevard’s economic turnaround remains one of the largest in the state. The Space Coast unemployment rate in November 2010 reached a high of 11.8%, today, it is only at 3%. Additionally, Brevard’s spaceport remains the most active orbital launch site in the world with 19 successful launches in 2017. The Space Coast could see as many as 48 launches per year by 2021, with projections of many more than that in the future. Together, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC), Space Florida, NASA, the Air Force and industry, along with many community partners, have redefined, refocused and reimagined Brevard’s role in the next era of space history.

Florida’s Space Coast was selected the winner for this category of the SpaceNews Awards for Excellence & Innovation following an open nomination, reader poll, and the deliberations of a panel of SpaceNews editors and contributors.

The winners of this year’s awards will be profiled in the December 3, 2018 issue of SpaceNews magazine.

“Florida’s Space Coast isn’t just our Turnaround of the Year, it’s also an early frontrunner for our turnaround of the decade. The community is being honored for working together to turn the end of the Space Shuttle Program into a new beginning for Florida’s Space Coast region, said Brian Berger, SpaceNews editor-in-chief. “To us, one of the clearest signs the Space Coast had rebounded economically is that there is now space commerce on Space Commerce Way. Blue Origin opened a new factory this year across the way from where OneWeb stands to build thousands of satellites for its broadband constellation. NASA’s commitment to turn Kennedy Space Center into a ‘multi-user spaceport’ has sparked an increase in launch activity that’s helped stimulate tourism to the point that Space Commerce Way now needs to be widened to accommodate extra traffic.”

“This recognition reflects the hard work of our community. The Space Coast is truly an economic success story not just because of our ability to accomplish this tremendous turnaround, but to do so in such a short amount of time,” said Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the EDC. “There is still much to be done, and I look forward to working with our partners as we continue to strengthen our success story, which is not just unique to our country, but to the world.”

“It is an honor for Florida’s Space Coast to receive this recognition from SpaceNews,” said Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello. “From an increased launch cadence to the rise of rocket and satellite manufacturing, and the growing supply chain in between, it is unmistakable that the Space Coast is in the midst of a renaissance. Florida has the kind of business operating and living environment that next generation aerospace development and manufacturing companies need to thrive in. The Space Coast is now well-positioned to dominate the future of this industry.”

“With more than 90 commercial partners, we are now a true multi-user spaceport successfully supporting a variety of different industries. Kennedy is an integral part of the local economy, providing nearly 10,000 jobs for civil servants, contractors, tenants and construction crews, and it’s going to continue to grow. This is truly an exciting time for NASA, the Space Coast and our Nation as we embark on a new era of space exploration,” said Robert Cabana, Director, NASA Kennedy Space Center.

About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org

About Space Florida
Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov

About NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center is the world’s preeminent launch complex for government and commercial space access, enabling the world to explore and work in space. The Center safely manages, develops, integrates and sustains space systems through partnerships that enable innovative, diverse access to space and inspires the Nation’s future explorers. Kennedy maximizes NASA mission success by providing ground operations and integration capabilities for exploration; executing crewed missions to the International Space Station, acquiring commercial launch services for NASA, sustaining the International Space Station and providing a Research & Technology portfolio to align agency needs and core capabilities. Kennedy Space Center offers the infrastructure and services to accommodate space industry partners, becoming a Bridge to the Future of innovation and space exploration.

Career Source Brevard and the International Association of Certified ISAOs (IACI) are pleased to announce a partnership to develop the cybersecurity workforce in Brevard County. The partnership was developed at the IACI International Cybersecurity Summit this week which brought together cybersecurity experts from around the world. This “meeting of minds” forged many new partnership and programs.

This agreement will enable funding through CareerSource Brevard’s America’s Promise grant to the Cyber Experiential Education and Training (CEET) ISAO to provide scholarships to train IT professionals through universities and community colleges as well as train-up IT professionals who are current employees through their places of work.

ISAOs are information sharing and analysis organizations that share cyber threat intelligence, response strategies and adoption of best practices supported by workforce development in order to proactively defend against cyber attacks. The CEET headquarters are located right here at The Center for Space Education, NASA- Kennedy Space Center.

America’s Promise grant is a United State Department of Labor (USDOL) grant which over the course of four years will allocate $111 million dollars to 23 regional workforce partnerships in the United States of which CareerSource Brevard received $2.38 million. CareerSource Brevard and Jacksonville State College were the only awardees of the American Promise Grant in Florida.

The shortage of IT professionals to address the cybersecurity threats remains one of our biggest challenges.

“This program is specifically designed to fill the gap of the technology workforce pipeline,” said Ernest McDuffie, the executive director of the CEET ISAO. “CareerSource Brevard is providing critical resources to address the needs of this community”

Ernest McDuffiie comes to this program with over 44 years of learning, experiences, and leadership in the field of cyber education including having served as the lead for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Initiative of Cybersecurity Education (NICE).

“We are so lucky to have access to such a powerful workforce development tools such as CEET ISAO right in our own backyard,” said Gary Sulski the Information Technology Sector Program Manager for CareerSource Brevard. “This is another example of the way in which CareerSource is working to meet the needs of Brevard’s job seekers and employers.”

CareerSource Brevard is the area authority on workforce development, providing comprehensive services, labor market information and access to resources for businesses and career seekers. Visit www.careersourcebrevard.com or call (321) 504-7600 for more information about our services and resources.

About Sector Strategies: Sector strategies are industry-led approaches to workforce and economic development that align training to meet employer needs in regional labor markets.

]]>CRAIG TECHNOLOGIES TO PROVIDE PAYLOAD INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT ON INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATIONhttps://careersourcebrevard.com/sector-strategies/aviation-aerospace/craig-technologies-to-provide-payload-integration-and-operations-support-on-international-space-station
Fri, 30 Nov 2018 19:29:55 +0000https://careersourcebrevard.com/?p=37156CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Craig Technologies Aerospace Solutions, LLC has been awarded a contract to provide payload integration and operations support to NASA and other federal agencies. In addition to government agencies, the company will provide satellite launch support to commercial customers both nationally and globally. Craig Technologies Aerospace Solutions (Craig) will provide turnkey services […]

]]>CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Craig Technologies Aerospace Solutions, LLC has been awarded a contract to provide payload integration and operations support to NASA and other federal agencies. In addition to government agencies, the company will provide satellite launch support to commercial customers both nationally and globally.

Craig Technologies Aerospace Solutions (Craig) will provide turnkey services to manage and perform the work for the successful integration and on-orbit operations of payloads using the Space Stations Kinetic Launcher for Orbital Payload Systems (SSKLOPS or “Cyclops”) or other research platforms.

The Cyclops is a mechanism used to robotically deploy satellites from the International Space Station (ISS) and is designed to provide a method to transfer internally stowed satellites to the external environment. The Cyclops is designed to provide a common payload interface and to accommodate payloads up to 150kg. Cyclops fills the payload deployment gap between small CubeSat launchers and major payloads enabling a whole new range of payload possibilities.

Craig’s capabilities include operation, engineering, and manufacturing to provide full lifecycle payload support. This Mission Operations and Integration offering complements the capabilities established while developing a successful ISS flight test platform focused on additive manufactured payloads, in partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS).

With evolving regulatory framework expected to propel market demand, the global nanosatellites and microsatellites market is expected to reach between $5-$7B by 2025 according to multiple reports by market research organizations. The term “microsatellite” or “microsat” is usually applied to the name of a satellite with a wet mass between 10 and 150kg (22 and 330lb). Nano and microsatellites are the fastest growing segments of the satellite industry. Their ‘ease to build’ and lower operating and manufacturing costs are making them immensely popular in civilian and military applications.

“Craig Technologies is excited to participate in growing the commercial LEO market through utilization of ISS resources which allows us to provide a lower-cost alternative to the launching of microsatellites” said Carol Craig, founder and CEO.

Founded in 1999 by CEO Carol Craig, Craig Technologies (and subsidiaries) is a U.S.-Owned, Hispanic Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned (VO), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO), Economically-Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), and Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) that is ISO 9001/AS9100 Certified and ITAR compliant. Growing Craig Technologies from one person in 1999, Craig leads nationwide operations with associates in approximately 20 different states with Headquarters in Cape Canaveral, Florida and regional business offices in Texas, California and Washington, D.C.

]]>Veterans can find employmenthttps://careersourcebrevard.com/veterans/veterans-can-find-employment
Thu, 25 Oct 2018 18:45:28 +0000https://careersourcebrevard.com/?p=36567By Josh Whitener For Hometown News PALM BAY – Paychecks for Patriots began as a recruiting tool for veterans seeking employment and has quickly become a way for employers to actively seek veterans for jobs at their companies. A job fair will be hosted by CareerSource Brevard and will take place at the Tony Rosa […]

PALM BAY – Paychecks for Patriots began as a recruiting tool for veterans seeking employment and has quickly become a way for employers to actively seek veterans for jobs at their companies.

A job fair will be hosted by CareerSource Brevard and will take place at the Tony Rosa Community Center at 1502 Port Malabar Boulevard NE in Palm Bay on Nov. 8 beginning exclusively for veterans at 10 a.m. The doors will open to veterans one hour before the regularly scheduled job fair and will run until 2 p.m.

In 2017, a smaller venue was used and held 32 employers and 330 job seekers. This year will seek to improve on the process that veterans take part in to find jobs.

“Veterans, in general, have many skill sets and are very adaptive to change, hence their employment opportunities increase with the number of employers supporting the event,” Mr. Quiles said. “There are many employers who are looking for part time employees only, and many older veterans are looking for part time work to subsidize their retirement or Social Security.”

Beginning in 2012, Paychecks for Patriots aimed to provide employment services for military service personnel, especially younger job seekers, during a high unemployment rate for veterans.

“This event has helped hundreds of Veterans and family members find employment and changed their quality of life,” Mr. Quiles said.

U.S. Army veteran Elwin Santiago has had experiences with the difficulty of finding employment through online application processes.

“We are told to visit their websites and submit applications, but follow-through applications submitted from employers is infrequent.” Mr. Santiago said.

Mr. Santiago served during the Vietnam War as a Huey helicopter mechanic. He worked for the Department of the Navy and the United States Naval Academy for more than 20 years before relocating to Melbourne.

“After relocating, [I] achieved a master’s degree in business from Florida Institute of Technology, but I haven’t found employment locally,” Mr. Santiago said. “Most of the similar jobs [sic] want a secret clearance prior to hire and my clearance expired during educational pursuit.”

Currently, due in large part to overall employment levels on the rise, more veterans are obtaining jobs than in the previous five years. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, a co-sponsor of Paychecks for Patriots, released last month’s job report on Sept. 21, with a seasonal un-adjusted unemployment rate of only 3.7 percent in August.

The on-site interview and hiring process will benefit older veterans who may not be a technologically savvy when it comes to filing out applications online. The face-to-face interviewing also provides a more personable process.

]]>Harris, L3 Technologies agree to largest defense merger in history in $33.5 billion dealhttps://careersourcebrevard.com/news/36506
Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:06:00 +0000https://careersourcebrevard.com/?p=36506By: Dave Berman, Florida Today Melbourne-based Harris Corp. and New York-based L3 Technologies Inc. on Sunday announced they have agreed to a “transformational merger of equals.” The combined company — to be called L3 Harris Technologies Inc. — will be headquartered in Melbourne. This will be the largest merger in defense industry history, in a stock […]

Melbourne-based Harris Corp. and New York-based L3 Technologies Inc. on Sunday announced they have agreed to a “transformational merger of equals.”

The combined company — to be called L3 Harris Technologies Inc. — will be headquartered in Melbourne.

This will be the largest merger in defense industry history, in a stock deal valued at $33.5 billion, based on current stock prices.

The company will become the eighth-largest company based in Florida, according to current Fortune 500 rankings.

Harris Director of Public Relations Jim Burke said the deal is likely to mean a strengthening of the company’s operations and staff levels in Brevard County.

…”The combined portfolio brings depth and balance of relationships across a wide range of customers, in both the U.S. and international markets,” the companies said in their announcement. “Increased scale will enable the combined company to be more cost-competitive, expand capabilities to provide end-to-end solutions across multiple domains of air, sea, land, space and cyber,” as well as enhanced leadership in other areas, such as radio-frequency and spectrum technologies.

The companies also cited their “shared culture of innovation and operating philosophy” that would help drive growth and boost profits. …

]]>FLORIDA RECOGNIZES MANUFACTURING MONTHhttps://careersourcebrevard.com/sector-strategies/manufacturing/florida-recognizes-manufacturing-month
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 16:25:34 +0000https://careersourcebrevard.com/?p=36345In celebration of the industry’s accomplishments, the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF) announces the recognition of Manufacturing Month for October 2018. Across the state, manufacturing companies are opening their doors to students, parents, teachers, and the community to showcase the industry and the advances made within its vast sectors. As part of an effort to […]

]]>In celebration of the industry’s accomplishments, the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF) announces the recognition of Manufacturing Month for October 2018. Across the state, manufacturing companies are opening their doors to students, parents, teachers, and the community to showcase the industry and the advances made within its vast sectors.

As part of an effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide, companies are engaging in many different ways to share the good news of manufacturing. Planned activities include open house facility tours, panel discussions with manufacturing leaders, PTO presentations, local proclamations, and more.

“Florida has long recognized the month of October as Manufacturing Month, expanding upon the national Manufacturing Day, as the industry has such a strong foothold in our state,” said Amanda Bowen, Executive Director of MAF. “It’s important that our communities and future workforce understand the role the industry plays in not only our present lives, but our future. Manufacturing has endless career opportunities, utilizing vast skill sets and talents and we love introducing students to enjoyable careers that allow their passions to blossom.”

Manufacturing Day is celebrated across the United States on the first Friday of October.

For more information and a list of Manufacturing Month related events, visit www.MFGDay.com.

About the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF)

The MAF was formed in 2006 to improve the business climate for manufacturers in Florida. There are more than 20,000 manufacturers in Florida investing in new technology, employing highly skilled workers and competing globally. For more information about MAF, visit www.MAFMFG.com

]]>We’ve partnered with the EDC in celebration of Manufacturing Month and are excited to bring about 20 Brevard County manufacturers and aerospace companies together who are looking for entry level to highly experienced skilled talent and hiring now.

Blue Origin, the space venture created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has struck a deal with Florida’s spaceport authority to build a $60 million rocket testing and refurbishment facility near Cape Canaveral.

The facility would be constructed at Space Florida’s Exploration Park to provide support services for the $205 million, 750,000-square-foot New Glenn rocket manufacturing factory that Blue Origin already has built in Florida. Orbital-class New Glenn rockets are due to enter service by as early as 2020 and will be sent into space from Launch Complex 36, which is being leased from Space Florida.

Blue Origin is designing the New Glenn rocket to have a reusable first-stage booster, and the new facility would be where recovered boosters are refurbished and tested. The company’s plans were the subject of a Space Florida board meeting last month, and came to light this week in an Orlando Sentinel report.

The board approved a plan to use state tax dollars to reimburse Blue Origin for up to $4 million in common infrastructure costs such as roads and utilities, the Sentinel reported.

Documents provided to the board indicate that Blue Origin is planning to spend $60 million on the new facility, and create about 50 jobs with an estimated annual wage of $95,000.

]]>DEO Launches Rebuild Florida, providing $616 Million to Help Floridians Repair and Rebuild Homes Damaged by Hurricane Irmahttps://careersourcebrevard.com/news/deo-launches-rebuild-florida-providing-616-million-to-help-floridians-repair-and-rebuild-homes-damaged-by-hurricane-irma
Thu, 27 Sep 2018 20:57:28 +0000https://careersourcebrevard.com/?p=36151MARATHON, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched Rebuild Florida, a long-term recovery effort, which will provide $616 million to help Florida families whose homes were significantly damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irma repair or rebuild their homes. Rebuild Florida is a program run by DEO in partnership with the U.S. […]

MARATHON, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched Rebuild Florida, a long-term recovery effort, which will provide $616 million to help Florida families whose homes were significantly damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irma repair or rebuild their homes. Rebuild Florida is a program run by DEO in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This program was announced jointly by Governor Rick Scott and HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson in June and will connect eligible Floridians with federal disaster recovery funding, prioritizing most-impacted communities and the most vulnerable low-income individuals, including the elderly, those with disabilities and families with young children.

Governor Scott said, “Hurricane Irma devastated communities across Florida after its landfall in the Keys, and we have worked every day since the storm to bring resources to our state so families could fully recover. I’m proud that through Rebuild Florida, DEO will provide critical funding to help families most impacted by Hurricane Irma.”

The first Rebuild Florida center opens today in the Florida Keys, with case managers available to help homeowners register for the program. The center, located at 2796 Overseas Highway in Marathon, will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional, temporary and mobile centers will be opened in affected counties throughout the registration period.

DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “We know that many families across the state are still struggling, even one year after Hurricane Irma. For those whose homes were destroyed or are still damaged, please go online to RebuildFlorida.gov or visit a Rebuild Florida center opening near you to register for assistance. Our Rebuild Florida team will guide homeowners through every step of the process and help them repair and rebuild their homes.”

Representative Holly Raschein said, “A year after Hurricane Irma, many of our friends and neighbors are still recovering and the Rebuild Florida plan is an important component of the state’s efforts to help our community to recover and rebuild. We’re excited to have these resources available for our residents as we continue our long-term recovery and work to make sure the Florida Keys come back better and stronger than ever.”

Registration begins today at RebuildFlorida.gov or by calling the Rebuild Florida representatives at 844-833-1010. Rebuild Florida centers will also be opening in the hardest hit counties. More information about these locations will be available at RebuildFlorida.gov. Eligible Florida residents have until Dec. 23 to register for the Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program.

The program is open to residents who own their homes and also to owners of rental properties. Detailed eligibility requirements are available at RebuildFlorida.gov.

The long-term recovery program has just become available to eligible Floridians, following a lengthy federal process designed to ensure that all other assistance, including private insurance and other forms of federal assistance, has been exhausted. After the federal government approved guidelines for action plans early this year, HUD approved Florida’s Action Plan for Disaster Recovery, allowing DEO to begin implementing the Rebuild Florida program.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.